Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-12-01
THE CITY HO E,
Aud the ways Cat of it-TO Conn
ciimen.

Aud the Ways Cat of it-T0 Conn
| ciimen.
With reference to this lot, an edi-
torial Of your paper on Sunday, says
among other things: 'While it Ii
generally considered that the price
paid was fair one, yet in view of the
fact that the Councilmen were selling
the lot to themselves, it is thought not
hardly the proper thing to do. While
these members of the Council are well
satisfied that they had not paid cent
too much for the lot; yet they think il
best in view of the trouble which
might arise hereafter to draw out OF
the syndicate. This throws the pro-
perty back upon the ma ket," etc.
1t is really gratifying to know that
our city fathers were men OF such
sterling integrity, and also that the
city has made quite a nice little sum
by the ten per cent profit" which
as a matter II course was required OF
of them to be put up according to the
order OF sale at the time of purchase,
and usual in like business transactions.
1t is but a few months ago since |
offered to this self-same Council the
st. Vincent College block for City
Hall, either at 100000 in money or
as an even exchange for the lots in
question. There were many objections
raised, but finally this self-same Coun-
Gil or portion Of it formed the
greater part OF syndicate to
purchase this valuable property
on their own account, and
worth to-day about double the value
of said "city hole" Now. l am sat
isfed that these self-same Council
men, as they have as aforesaid proved
themselves to be men of sterling in
tegrity. are not supposed to take any
advantage of city entrusted to their
care. If you will simply call their
attention to the fact they will not hes
itate for a moment, but will imme-
diately signify their willingness to
turn the st. Vincent's block over TO
the city at cost, and if they will give
me two weeks time / will raise the
money out OF the Getty hole" with
which to pay the bill, which their
past seeming financial inability has
failed to DO.
| would say-there are but few men
walking about our streets with $l20 900
in cash in their pockets ready to dump
into this hole all at one time. Bnt let
| these wise financiers divide this 120
feet on Spring into six lots OF twenty
feet each, offer it at auction on terms
one-fOurth cash, balance on or before
two years at one per cent per month,
secured by notes and mortgages.
The purchasers will Immediately
improve such valuable business
property, thereby adding largely
to the security, and the three,
fourths remaining unpaid would
readily sell at par if not at a premi-
um, and there are many monied men
standing ready to buy such valuable
property. The city could then well
afford to sell its 1S0 feet on Fort so
entirely unfit as the loca ion of a
handsome public building-either at
cost or even little less, then use the
present college building as a city hall
for some time, and finally, when it is
in the very center of beautiful city
of 10000 people, erect a city hall
| that would be credit to the proud
capital of Southern California.
Now, in conclusion-if nothing can
be done-and we are to suffer ''conn-
try cross-road financiering, ! will sug-
gest that we fence in the City Hall
| put concrete bottom and sides to it,
fill it with water, put in some sea lions
and other sea serpents, take away the
old well-worn grain sacks that are
tackled over the openings, and put on
some new ones, or a few boards would
be better, to keep the prisoners from
falling in the yard and drowning; get
a few monkeys and other curiosities
and put in the cages on top OF the Jail
that now stand as hideous points of
our architecture, and the income from
this addition show to the white ele-
phant before referred to, will pay q
part OF the interest on the city debt.
JOHN f. HUMPHREYS.
The above appeared in the HERALD
OF date January 10Th, 1887. Mr.. Hum
phreys is now the Democratic candi-
date for Councilman in the Third
Ward. The letter is reproduced at
this time as most excellent evidence of
that gentleman's fitness for the place.
His sagacity is conspicuous in every
word he wrote, and his great interest
in the welfare of the city when not in
office is sufficient guarantee that he
will give to the duties of Councilman
close and intelligent attention.